Innu youth get first-hand look at oceans research aboard Innu Nation expedition | 24CA News
Aboard the MV Polar Prince, 25-year-old Leanne Rich stated she was in awe whereas watching machines suck up water for environmental DNA testing.
“I was really inspired by how they’ve been working [with] the ecosystems,” Rich stated, describing the advanced gear.
Rich is considered one of 24 younger adults who boarded the analysis vessel as a part of the three-week Uinipeku Ocean Expedition, facilitated by Innu Nation.
The expedition was damaged up in three elements, beginning close to Sheshatshiu, then going between Sheshatshiu to Natuashish, and ending nearer to Natuashish. Innu Nation welcomed eight younger folks aboard every week.
Rich stated she has been grieving the lack of her mom and wished to see if she was courageous sufficient to go. She stated being aboard the boat for her week was optimistic.
“I’d be really happy to be a scientist someday,” she stated.
Watch Students on Ice discuss week three of the Innu Nation expedition:
Innu Nation has been monitoring water for many years and funds frequent journeys with their scientists on smaller boats.
In early 2023, the Indigenous authorities determined to fee the Polar Prince for a July expedition and partnered with Students on Ice, a youth sustainability basis, so neighborhood members may come alongside.
Innu Nation’s scientific lead on marine monitoring stated having these folks come aboard was heartwarming.
“It’s been very valuable to communities and to those youth who have participated,” stated Michael Hannaford. “I can’t say enough about that aspect of it. I think that’s more valuable than any sample that we could take.”
Youth had been capable of see Innu Nation proceed their analysis of gathering neighborhood information about Innu websites, utilizing distant operated autos to look beneath the water, doing drone surveys of water and shoreline and taking samples.
The Canadian Hydrographic Service was additionally mapping the seafloor at evening, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was taking water samples, a dive staff was going out every day, and the Students on Ice staff took youth out in Zodiac boats to see birds and islands.
“If the youth take away one thing from the expedition, I hope that people can see maybe some pathways forward with those related to being on a ship or expedition themselves,” Hannaford stated.
Hannaford stated he hopes to see extra of expeditions like this in Innu Nation’s future. He stated it is key to have this community-driven analysis.
“We just want to keep growing the work and creating more opportunities for people to join in and follow and participate,” he stated.
Hannaford stated it is too early to know what the analysis could inform Innu Nation in regards to the waters and coast, however there’s plenty of samples and plenty of knowledge that they will be going via this upcoming winter.
